Fans cash in on K Club ticket offer

A massive 45,000 golf fans have taken up on Ulster Bank’s “Free Ticket Thursday” initiative at this week’s Smurfit Kappa European Open at the K Club west of Dublin.

The company’s head of sponsorship Sarah Dempsey, said: “This is a hugely important year for Irish golf with our best players pushing for places on the European Ryder Cup team for September’s contest with the USA and we are delighted to be giving true golf fans the opportunity to see some of the biggest names in golf tee off.”

Jamie Birkmyre, championship director, commented: “We are delighted that Ulster Bank has underwritten the first day’s play at this year’s tournament.

“The response to the initiative has been astounding and we are anticipating an excellent crowd and hopefully some sunshine for what should be a great day’s golf.”

Ryder Cup captains Ian Woosnam and Tom Lehman head a field which also includes former US Open champions Retief Goosen and Michael Campbell, eight-time European number one Colin Montgomerie and main Irish hopes Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley.

To complement the free ticket offer on Thursday the organisers have restructured the policy for the rest of the event with a special “Long Weekend Ticket” costing €70 permitting entry on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

A one-day ticket is €35, while senior citizens will be charged €15 and under-16s get in free providing they are accompanied by an adult.